Federation Equestrian International and Quest Global Ltd Accused of Corruption and Endangering Lives
Equestrians scared for their safety and unable to speak up demand an investigation into the FEI and Equestrian Community Integrity Unit, run by UK investigations firm Quest Global Ltd, in the wake of equipment testing scandals that are putting their lives at risk.
It appears nothing has changed since Lord Stevens, Chairman of Quest Global Ltd and the FEI Equestrian Community Integrity Unit (ECIU) highlighted the increasing number of reports of misconduct at the 2017 FEI General Assembly:
[The] ECIU continued to do many investigations and, in the past year, the ECIU understood a number of investigations that came to the ECIU’s attention from various sources, such as grooms, riders, horse enthusiasts and the media. Some examples of the concerns were allegations of bribery, bullying and manipulations of results. There had been an increase of the number of reporting. 152 reports were made to the ECIU last year [2017], compared to 136 in 2016.
Twelve months on from the formation of Global Sports Investigations, an initiative of The Sports Consultancy and Quest Global Ltd, two companies deeply entrenched in the governance of the FEI, and transparency is murkier than ever.
For more than five years, the manufacturers and individuals involved in two award-winning safety products, and the riders who are restrained from using them, have battled head to head with the hypocrisy of FEI equipment testing that has allowed personal and commercial interests to overrule horse welfare and rider safety.
Submitted for testing in 2013 and 2017 respectively, the Winning Tongue Plate (WTP) NP Bit and Safety Technology Stirrup (STS) Irons have amassed a loyal following of highly credible riders, coaches, professors and lecturers of equine science, veterinarians and dentists, who have written many outstanding and supportive reports, due to their unrivalled safety and welfare merits.
Yet, despite the overwhelming number of expert endorsements, FEI officials have refused to approve them for use in Dressage and Eventing, challenging the irrefutable evidence in favour of their approval with false claims made by individuals that were later withdrawn, then offering farcical appeal processes to cover their tracks and, when that didn’t work, silence.
When asked to step in, Quest Global Ltd deflected all responsibility as an integrity unit, going as far as stating that these matters are “dealt with by the FEI” and leaving those with concerns regarding conflicts of interest with little option but outrage.
Speaking on behalf of individuals who have voiced their opinions on the cases of the WTP NP Bit and the STS Irons, Mr. Adrian Morgante a multi-award-winning inventor says:
Whistleblowers within FEI circles feel they can’t share their concerns publicly.
Riders who compete at FEI level and forced to use equipment of inferior design have confided in me, asking how many more horses and riders must be killed before action is taken and threatening multimillion-dollar lawsuits against the FEI if a serious injury or death occurs.
The FEI and ECIU are rightfully facing scathing criticism from the equestrian community who accuse them of corruption and falsifying results. At every turn, they have infringed the FEI Constitution, Code of Ethics and their own equipment testing rules.
Since submitting the WTP NP Bit and the STS Irons for testing, the manufacturers and concerned individuals have requested the equipment testing reports and other vital evidence to prove a fair and transparent testing process took place. However, no reports have ever been provided.
Joining Mr. Morgante in his call for transparency, riders and journalists have demanded answers of the FEI and its integrity unit. Together, the FEI and Quest Global Ltd have taken a stance of tactical silence, choosing to ignore anyone who questions their authority on these cases.
This somber reality comes after the FEI took steps last year to avoid claims of corruption that have run rife over the past decade, beginning with the forced resignation of the entire Dressage Committee in 2008. Sadly, little has changed.
A situation only made worse by an apathetic integrity unit who has been endowed with discretionary powers since 2010. Yet, over the past eight years, appears to have allowed relationships with FEI officials to interfere with their objectivity and judgement.
However, the curtain has fallen on their identities, and all have failed to deny claims of corruption. In recent press articles, the FEI officials connected to the cases were named, and Quest Global Ltd was also revealed as a willing and conspiring partner in the cover-ups.
Mr. Morgante says,
Given the failings of Quest Global Ltd to properly investigate these cases, we have no choice but to expose them as willing and conspiring partners of the FEI who utilise the same tactics of dishonesty, deflection, and deceit.
In our correspondence, we made it clear that failure to respond to our allegations would be deemed an admission of guilt. In the weeks that have followed, the FEI IT Department has taken steps to block us, and Quest Global Ltd has continued to ignore us.
Since 2014, we have encountered the hypocrisy and sheer arrogance of the FEI officials involved whose reprehensible conduct violates the very reputation of the FEI. To date, the staff at Quest Global Ltd have acted no differently, hoping that by ignoring us too, we will just disappear.
It is clear Quest Global Ltd is unfit to govern equestrian sports. They have continuously allowed FEI officials to use lies, deception and falsified results to distort the truth to National Federations, the media and members of the public without consequence.
It is time for transparency. A massive overhaul is needed within the FEI and ECIU to prevent conflicts of interest and acts of corruption. After nearly a decade, it’s clear the waters have become muddied by personal and commercial interests.
Media Enquiries:
Mr. Adrian Morgante
Email: [email protected]
Notes:
Case 1: Winning Tongue Plate NP Bit
Overview
The Winning Tongue Plate (WTP) NP Bit is a gentle snaffle bit that is safe for use in all equestrian disciplines and supports horse welfare.
Since 2014, we have been in correspondence with the FEI and the ECIU regarding a corrupt and unethical equipment testing process involving the WTP NP Bit.
We seek your assistance in pursuing this matter.
Timeline of Key Events
- On the 19 July 2013, the WTP NP Bit was submitted to the FEI for equipment testing in accordance with FEI protocol.
- The FEI Constitution stipulates equipment submitted to the FEI is to be tested by two members of the authorised testing panel under riding condition
- The FEI Constitution also compels the authorised testing panel to release information contained in testing reports if requested by relevant parties.
- The outcome of equipment testing is distributed to all National Federations and published on the FEI website following equipment testing.
2. Our company was advised equipment testing had taken place and we were informed on the 16 October 2014 the WTP NP Bit was not approved for use in FEI Dressage competitions.
3. Our company was informed the WTP NP Bit was not approved for use by the FEI and claimed the WTP NP Bit could not be approved because the centre piece was too large. For that reason, we provided the FEI with photographic evidence showing the centre piece of the WTP NP Bit is of the same size in comparison to other FEI approved bits. The FEI objection was then withdrawn by the FEI on 12 December 2015.
4. However, our company was then informed by Ms. Carina Mayer, former FEI Dressage Director, the WTP NP Bit was not approved for use by the FEI because the arms of the bit were partially blocked and this objection had previously been communicated to us.
5. However, when requested by us, Ms. Mayer was unable to provide any evidence of correspondence indicating this objection to be true and previously communicated to us. This objection was later withdrawn by the FEI in June 2016. For that reason, we provided the FEI with photographic evidence comparing the WTP NP Bit to FEI approved Myler Bit arms, which are also blocked in the exact same position. This objection was found to be wrong and later withdrawn by the FEI.
6. On 12 December 2015, Ms. Mayer stated to facilitate a thorough and fair comparison of the Myler Bit and WTP Bit regarding the blocked arms, the FEI would be re-testing our bit in 2016 by an authorised testing panel; however, to our knowledge, this testing has never taken place.
7. On 5 July 2016, our company contacted Ms. Mayer to confirm the outcome of the equipment testing and Ms. Mayer informed us on the 5 July 2016 the WTP NP Bit could not be approved for use by the FEI because of the function of the bit.
8. Our company submitted evidence to Ms. Mayer proving this claim to be false and incorrect. To this, she replied the decision was final; however, she later changed her position, stating we could appeal, but when asked to provide the 2014 and 2016 testing reports, she ignored us.
9. Despite our requests to the FEI to resolve this matter, the 2014 and 2016 testing reports have never been released to us, which breaches the FEI Constitution and Code of Ethics, and makes the process of appeal impossible.
10. In January 2010, the FEI set up the independent Equestrian Community Integrity Unit (ECIU), run by UK firm Quest Global Limited, to protect integrity principles within the equestrian community and investigate any integrity issues related to the FEI.
11. Our company has been in correspondence with Quest Global Ltd since March 2017. The FEI announced on 4 November 2017, as a matter of good governance, the ECIU would investigate the matter and provide a report to us outlining their findings.
12. To date, Quest Global Ltd has never provided this report, nor have they been willing to investigate this matter. Despite our requests, they too have failed to provide the 2014 and 2016 testing reports, which would resolve this case.
Since 2014, manufacturers of the WTP NP Bit have requested the evidence required to resolve this case. However, the FEI officials involved have conspired to prevent the release of the following information, which we seek with your support:
- 2014 Working Equipment Group testing reports
- Alleged 2016 Working Equipment Group testing reports
- Independent investigative report conducted by the ECIU into the matter of the WTP NP Bit requested by the FEI on 4 December 2017
Case 2: Safety Technology Stirrups Irons
Overview
The Safety Technology Stirrups (STS) Irons are the only stirrup irons in the world to win an Australian international design award for safety.
Since 15 November 2017, we have been in correspondence with the FEI and the ECIU regarding a corrupt and unethical equipment testing process involving the STS Irons.
We seek your assistance in pursuing this matter.
Timeline of Key Events
- On 24 November 2017, the STS Irons were submitted to the FEI for equipment testing in accordance with FEI protocol.
- The FEI Constitution stipulates equipment submitted to the FEI is to be tested by two members of the authorised testing panel under riding conditions.
- The FEI Constitution also compels the authorised testing panel to release information contained in testing reports if requested by relevant parties.
- The outcome of equipment testing is distributed to all National Federations and published on the FEI website following equipment testing.
2. The FEI introduced a new equipment testing rule and process in January 2018 to prevent conflicts of interest and corruption claims.
3. On 24 November 2017, I lodged an individual application as per the FEI website, which states an application may be lodged by “any person”.
4. On the 15 November 2017, I was informed by Ms. Chloe Harty of the FEI Dressage Department that I would be informed if the STS Irons were approved or not by 30 June 2018 and provided with a copy of the testing report.
5. The application form provided on 25 July 2018 was not only signed by Mr. Frank Kemperman, who is not one of the authorised testing panel, but backdated to 26 June 2018; two serious breaches of the new equipment testing rule and process introduced by the FEI.
6. Based on further correspondence with the FEI, I believe the testing report was completed and signed prior to 13 June 2018; however, despite my requests, I have never received it. The following objection was published by the FEI on 13 June 2018:
“Toe stopper must be made of collapsible material (plastic, rubber). Any device which could restrict the smooth separation of the athlete’s boot from the stirrup in case of a fall is forbidden.”
7. In response to the above claim, evidence was supplied to the FEI showing a rider’s foot slipping forward in traditional FEI approved stirrup irons, which may result in catastrophic injury or death. To date, the FEI have not been able to fault the evidence.
8. The STS Irons are approved for use in FEI Show Jumping competitions. To date, they remain not approved for use in FEI Dressage and Eventing competitions. Riders who compete in FEI Dressage and Eventing are forbidden from using the STS Irons.
9. Riders who fear for their safety using stirrup irons of inferior design have threatened a $20 million lawsuit against the FEI and the ECIU if anyone is injured or killed as a result of the non-approval of the STS Irons.
10. The FEI stated there is a right to appeal; however, they have never supplied the testing reports nor answered relevant questions, making it impossible to lodge an appeal without the vital evidence in this case.
11. A complaint was lodged on 18 July 2018 with Mr. Andrew Smith of the ECIU, seeking his assistance regarding requests to the FEI to provide the testing reports completed and signed by the Equipment Group testing riders prior to 13 June 2018.
12. On 23 July 2018, Mr. Smith stated these issues are dealt with by the FEI, which is farcical, given the independent powers of the ECIU to investigate integrity issues related to the FEI.
Since 2017, manufacturers of the STS Irons have requested the evidence required to resolve this case. However, the FEI officials involved have conspired to prevent the release of the following information, which we seek with your support:
- The meeting minutes of the FEI Eventing committee held 23-24 March 2018
- All Equipment Working Group testing reports, including those completed prior to 13 June 2018 and following 13 June 2018
- Evidence of the falsified documentation signed by Mr. Frank Kemperman issued on 25 July 2018 and falsely backdated to 26 June 2018
- The outcome of equipment testing, which was due to be advised by 30 June 2018
Comments from Riders and Journalists
In response to the matters of the WTP NP Bit and the STS Irons, stakeholders and media have made the following comments to Mr. Adrian Morgante:
- “The FEI states rider safety is paramount. However, they refuse to be transparent over this scandal.”
- “The FEI system is so flawed they introduce new rules and processes, and then they breach them.”
- “Looks like someone is getting a kickback.”
- “After reading the STS document and watching the video it is very clear the FEI claims are completely flawed and should have been withdrawn, and the irons should have been approved.”
- “We are entitled to the truth as our lives are being put at risk and if our family members are injured or killed, we will sue the FEI for $20 million dollars.”
- “This is a sign of sheer arrogance and if the FEI President is not willing to now approve the WTP Bit, he should resign immediately.”
- “[The FEI President] must have a vendetta against your company for exposing the truth.”
- “This smacks of corruption.
- “So sad to know what you’re up against, corruption.”
- “If you ask me, the whole regulation system for equipment and tack needs a big overhaul, especially considering the lack of an evidence-based and transparent process as you have experienced.”
- “This is disgraceful. If they won’t supply the reports, it stinks of corruption and the FEI
- “President should be sacked.”
